Return to work, accommodation and support
IWH has a long history of conducting research on practices, policies and processes that help workers sustainably return to work after an illness or an injury. This page pulls together IWH research and resources on employer supports, job accommodations and modifications, as well as other related issues such as disclosure of disability.
Featured
Research Highlights
Telementoring program addresses return-to-work challenges for Ontario health-care providers
An IWH study has found that Ontario health-care providers face a range of challenges when treating workers with a work-related injury or illness and helping them return to work—a telementoring program called ECHO Occupational Environmental Medicine helped providers overcome some of these challenges.
Published: July 8, 2025
At Work article
Injured workers face mental health challenges beyond diagnosable conditions
Workers with a work-related physical injury that takes them off the job can have a wide range of mental health experiences, beyond diagnosable conditions. That’s according to an IWH study which also found that differences in injured workers’ mental health were linked to return-to-work outcomes.
Published: April 9, 2025
At Work article
IWH to explore how work affects health of women and men differently
New research chair explores role of gender and sex in work injury risk, recovery, chronic disease outcomes
Published: November 2014
Project
Project
Policies and practices on the accommodation of people with visible disabilities in the workplace
A research team led by IWH reviewed the literature to identify the workplace accommodations that employers in different workplaces are making at the recruitment, hiring and working stages for employees with visible disabilities.
Status: Completed 2017
Project
Project
Role of aging in return to work and stay at work: a systematic review
What interventions and factors help injured older workers successfully return to work? A research team led by the Institute for Work & Health searched the evidence for answers.
Status: Completed 2017
Project
Project
Understanding the employment needs and experiences of baby boomers with arthritis and diabetes
Episodic health conditions such as arthritis and diabetes can pose unique challenges to older workers who wish to remain in the workforce. An IWH team explored these challenges and their association with work outcomes.
Status: Completed 2019
Impact case study
WSIB introduces new work reintegration program
Research by IWH scientist describes problems with previous program and suggests way forward.
Published: October 2012
Sharing Best Evidence
Factors affecting RTW following acute low-back pain
This systematic review set out to find what factors affect the length of time it takes before returning to work. The aim was to identify which workers with acute low-back pain are at high risk of long-term absences and, therefore, in need of extra attention to help them recover and return to work more quickly.
Published: May 2012
Project
Project
Measuring the impact of an organizational change initiative to reduce work disability in an acute-care hospital
A team of researchers from the Institute for Work & Health evaluated an organizational change plan to reduce work disability within an acute-care hospital in Ontario. What it learned will be instructive to similar hospitals in the province and beyond.
Status: Completed 2016
At Work article
At Work article
How workplace policies affect return to work
Organizational policies and practices play a role in whether or not injured workers will return to work and if they will perform well once back at work. A new study from the Institute for Work & Health not only demonstrates this, but also helps explain why.
Published: August 2011
At Work article
At Work article
The power of positive thinking: More evidence on patient expectations and return to work
Recent research from the Institute for Work & Health reinforces evidence that patients who are optimistic about recovery following an injury will actually recover and return to work faster than patients who are less optimistic— a finding that should be recognized in case management decisions.
Published: August 2011
Systematic Review
Systematic Review
Systematic review of prognostic factors for workers' time away from work due to acute low-back pain: an update
This report explores the factors that affect how long it will take workers to return to work following an absence due to acute low-back pain, based upon the results of a systematic review update conducted by the Institute for Work & Health.
Published: August 2011